Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Living with Louis

Decorating with luxury good logos is something that divides people into two camps. To some, it's quite chic, while to others it's nothing short of declassé. For the record, I tend to avoid logos in my rooms, but I also think that if surrounding yourself with "LV"s makes you happy, then by all means knock yourself out.

A few Hermès boxes tucked discreetly into a bookshelf provide a nice pop of rich orange. And for the record, I'm guilty of this decorating virtue or vice, depending on which side of the fence you're on.

Those trays painted to resemble the Hermès logo appeared in homes quite often over the last few years. (Available at Donna Parker Habitat Limited)

And of course we can't forget about Louis.

The market for vintage Vuitton trunks and suitcases is always hot, especially when decorators like Miles Redd incorporate them into interiors.

Louis Vuitton bedecked dressing room doors courtesy of Nicky Haslam. Now let me just say that I'm a fan of both Haslam's interiors and his acerbic tongue. He really tells it like it is, and that's pretty refreshing. I'm just not sure that I could face living with Louis' initials on a daily basis. Now if those doors were covered with Hermès leather (no logo mind you, just plain leather), that would be divine.

I'm tired of my LV purses as well...tired of logos...BUT, I must tell you, I LOVE those LV lamps and the dressing screen. And even the Hermes tray. They are just a bit of fun. The only logo stuff in my home are a small stack of Hermes boxes in a corner and a vintage Gucci leather lamp...no logos.

Jennifer-I think it depends on the amount and the location. My parents had a vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk at the foot of their bed that was quite chic. So a touch of elegant logo is fine with me. In the dressing room, sure-have fun. It's not a public space. My dressing room is painted Thomas Pink pink with a display of my favorite shopping bags like Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel, Kate Spade, etc. I even did a post on the shopping bag as art!

I had an entire set of LV at one time as the partner said my suitcases were embarrassing. Gone with the relationship years ago, I should have used the vinyl to make something fab. I'm with you, orange leather outweighs the logo'd vinyl.

Note about shirts: Could those new RL polo shirts have larger logos on them? They look like the island of Greenland have been emblazoned on them.

I am a little over logos but still love my LV cosmetic trunk as not only does it look great but it holds lots :-)and at present it is getting a lot of use as we are dividing our time between 2 houses at present.

I was in a well-known fabric store in LA a few weeks ago and they were selling Gucci, Prada and others by the yard. My first thought was of all the rappers on MTV's Cribs that outfit their cars with the fabric.

I'm guilty of the Hermes box on a bookshelf. That color! It makes me so happy.

Does Hermès know about that tray? (Am wondering re copyright infringement, which doesn't meant, of course, I wouldn't mind having it.) Also one can find delightful Louis Vuitton-style "pleather" in bazaars throughout India and Africa ... I've longed to cover the walls of a powder room in it.

I think it's OK when the labels have taken on a sort of classic icon status - like LV. But modern stuff... nope. I remember visiting a home one time where someone had put CLOTHING tags up on the walls. It was the tackiest thing I've ever seen. The one exception I'm prepared to make is framed shopping bags which can look really cute - but ONLY in a closet - which is completely personal and filled with clothes and labels already (it's only cool if you aren't showing off).

I worked in Fashion Design for years when LV, Gucci, Prada were part of the ugly American and I would travel to Europe and Asia and witness the horrors of fellow Americans buying up these logo laden items as some sort of show of education and class. Coming back through customs was always a comedy.

I did however enjoy the show of LV history in Paris many years ago, some of the most exquisite trunks and bags. The interiors of the LV bags and trunks are beautifully constructed.

The signature Orange box, a little scarf, a tie or even a LV wallet or small clutch is all I think necessary, but a table...or a door, now we are talking class.

My favorite LV is the black (virtually indestructible) material on one of their bag lines - I can't remember the name, but it is subtle and beautiful, and no one knows it is LV except for a very few (and those who spot the subtle LV impressed in the leather in one small spot).

I am in the no logo camp. I may be one of the few who has never owned a pair ot Tory Reva flats for that very reason. Like you, I do have an organge hermes box on my bookshelf for a pop of color but I put a budvase on top of the logo.

i think labels have gotten way to out of hand but i do think it depends on the item and how its looks i would love some vintage luggage like that but i wouldn't be to keen on wearing some LV decorated sneakers or anything like that